The ViaRhenana trail is one of Switzerland’s regional trails, a total of 190 km from Kreuzlingen to Basel along the Rhine River where it demarcates the German-Swiss border. The trail can be walked in a number of stages, and this one (officially Stage 8) from Laufenburg to Bad Säckingen is an idyllic 12 km walk along the river bank, passing by two hydro-electric power plants along the way, between two attractive medieval towns which have both a German side and a Swiss side, connected by bridges. The Rhine River offers a diverse river landscape, home to many birds and even beavers, whose handiwork yiou will come across at several locations along the way. Provided there is no snow in the lowlands (and no high water on the Rhine), this walk can be done at any time of year.

Of particular interest is the “Alte Rheinbrücke” Bridge at Bad Säckingen, the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe. The bridge was first mentioned in the “Annals of Colmar” in 1272, and has since been damaged or destroyed several times by high water and fire. In the 1960’s, with the construction of the new power plant, the Rhine bottom was lowered by 3 meters and the bridge supports reinforced. High waters in 1999 rose to a point just 20 cm below the bottom of the bridge.

A visit to the historic centers of both sides of Laufenburg (especially to enjoy the view from the elevated church on the German side) and the German Bad Säckingen (with its dominating cathedral, the Fridolinsmünster) are a definite must. Enjoy the best homemade Gelato in Bad Säckingen at a super reasonable price!

Additional note: To get from the wooden bridge to the SBB station in Stein AG requires an additional 20 minutes of walking.